Who Will Replace Portman?

Reported by: Jenell Walton
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller 3/17/2005 12:30:40 PM

Congressman Portman must still be confirmed by the Senate for the Trade Representative cabinet seat, but there is already talk about his replacement for the Second Congressional District.

The Hamilton County Board of Elections Director says people have been calling to find out how they can run.

Board of Election employees have had to do a lot of digging to research the special election process.

The last time this happened was in 1993 when Congressman Willis Gradison resigned.

The 49-year-old Portman was elected to the position following Gradison's resignation.
The director of Hamilton County's Board of Elections, John Williams, says the election directors from the district's seven counties will have to work together to pick a special election date or Ohio's governor may set the date.

The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, Greg Hartman, is one of the leaders of the republican party.

He says local politicians have been interested in that seat for a while.

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This was the talk of the office yesterday at work. Who would replace Portman???? I had several DC reporters contact the office. I think they were trying to find out if my boss was interested in the seat...he's not. There have been so many names floating around. I am kind of hoping that one of the myriad of republican gubernatorial candidates will decide to run and lessen next year's primary. So far it is lining up to be extremely brutal. Definitely not what Ohio's GOP needs. The names I have heard are Deters, White, Niehaus, Schmidt, and even Blackwell. And that is only state level names. Who knows how many are floating around at the county level.

...Speaking of candidates for the gov's race...One came to my aid today. Cristy and I were on our way to Easton to do some last minute birthday shopping when this lady pulled up next my car and started honking and gesturing. It was State Auditor Betty Montgomery letting me know that my rear driver side tire was flat.

So let's recap... since Thursday evening I have mangaged to runover an innocent animal, get rear ended, and get a flat tire. I think that I am going to start paying some one else to drive me around!

A "Debbie Downer" Day...WUAH, Wuah, wuah

Today was a strange day, and its not even a full moon! All the crazies were calling in today. I had calls ranging from medicaid cards to sex offenders to privatizing social security. Just for those who don't know, STATE GOVERNMENT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH SOCIAL SECURITY!!!!! I am so glad I got that out, whew. Then what really made my night was on the way home from my second job I hit an animal. I felt awful. I did not see the thing until it was right in front of my car. I am hoping it was a raccoon, because in the split second before I hit it, it waddled out in front of my car like a coon. I did turn the car around to take another look but I couldn't see it on the road anywhere. I just pray it wasn't someone's pet. At least I know it wasn't a dog!

"Speaking of pets, did you know that feline aids is the number one killer for domestic cats?" Wuah, wuah, wuah (drunken trumbone noise)

Jingle:
"You're enjoying your day, everything's going your way
Then, along comes Debbie Downer!
Always there to tell you about a new disease
A car accident or killer bees.
You'll beg her to spare you, "
Debbie, please."
But you can't stop Debbie Downer!"
[ zoom on Debbie's sad face ]

Day Trip to DC

What a crazy day/night!

Ugh, it was such a crazy trip and I couldn't have picked a worse day. It was snowing in C-Town and DC. The plane had to be de-iced for both takeoffs and the delays were awful. I didn't think I was ever going to make it home! John and Erin braved snow and ice to take me out to eat at Blimpies. They are such great friends and I really enjoyed seeing them! Don't worry fitz, I wouldn't have traded Blimpies for the Macaroni Grill. As you can tell from the pics we still managed to have a great time! However, the next time I visit, it will be warmer and hopefully the cherry trees will be blooming!

The Asher's 21st Birthday Bash!

Here is a picture of one reason why I have not been posting. We decided to throw Ash a surprise 21st birthday party. The only problem was that I was in Ohio and the party was in South Carolina. Thankfully, Ash has some really great friends that love her a lot. I definitely could not have pulled the party off without them! We all had a really great time and I had a blast visiting Sharyn (even though she was sick and then got me sick too). Even Frankie enjoyed her trip to BJU and enjoyed a frolic on the forbidden grass! Click here to check out the Asher's BD pics.